Oldtown in Forsyth County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Community Garden 1759
(reconstructed)
Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, February 22, 2012
1. Community Garden 1759 Marker
The earliest garden was planted near the Wagner Cabin in 1754. The area was later enlarged by the head garnener, Jacob Lung, to include one half acre and appear as they do today. The members of the community worked in the garden together and then shared the produce. They called this arrangement "the Oeconomy." These are the only known well-documented colonial community gardens in America, and remain as community gardens today."Their garden has given them good service; from May 8th to July 5th they had salad every day for dinner; and nearly every evening also. When the salad came to an end they ate cucumbers for three weeks, with three or four meals of sugar peas, and squashes twice. Everything goes grows rapidly here."
Br. Jacob Loesch, letter, August 14, 1754.
Erected by Historic Bethabara Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1756.
Location. 36° 9.36′ N, 80° 17.95′ W. Marker is in Oldtown
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Historic Bethabara Park 1753 (here, next to this marker); Medical Gardens 1761 (a few steps from this marker); First Village (within shouting distance of this marker); Community and Medical Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); Summerhouse 1759 (within shouting distance of this marker); New Tavern Well 1755 (within shouting distance of this marker); New Bethabara Tavern 1775 (within shouting distance of this marker); Bethabara Tavern 1757 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oldtown.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, February 22, 2012
2. Community Garden 1759 Marker
Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, February 22, 2012
3. Community Garden
Photographed By Craig Doda, July 26, 2020
4. Community Garden 1759 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2012, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 410 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 14, 2012, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 4. submitted on December 8, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
